What it is
A design patent protects the new, original, and ornamental appearance of an article of manufacture. It covers shape, surface ornamentation, configuration, or any combination of these. If your product's value is partly in how it looks (and that look isn't dictated purely by function), a design patent can be the right form of protection.
Design patents are largely defined by their drawings, not their words. A poorly drawn design patent has weak claim scope; a well-drawn one is hard to design around. We treat the drawings as the heart of the application and prepare them to USPTO formal standards.
What's included
- Design drawings prepared to USPTO formal standards (multiple views: front, back, sides, top, bottom, perspective)
- Specification drafted to maximize visual claim scope
- USPTO electronic filing and confirmation
- USPTO correspondence and prosecution
- Issue fee handling and design patent grant
Who it's for
- Product designers protecting unique aesthetics
- Anyone whose competitive differentiator is partly visual (packaging, form factor, ornamentation)
- Inventors who already have a utility application and want to add design protection
Process and Timeline
- Free consultationYou describe the product and what visual elements matter most. We confirm a flat fee.
- Drawing preparationOur USPTO-experienced illustrator works from the files you provide (e.g., CAD files, photos or rough sketches).
- Specification draftingLauren drafts the title, description, and claim language to maximize coverage of the ornamental design.
- Review and revisionYou review the drawings and specification. Two rounds of revision are included.
- USPTO filingWe file electronically and send you the confirmation receipt and application number.
- ProsecutionThe USPTO examines (typically 12 to 24 months later). Design patent prosecution is usually shorter than utility, with fewer Office Actions.
- IssuanceIf allowed, the application issues as a US design patent valid for 15 years from issuance.
Pricing
Design Patent Application
Flat fee for design patent drafting and filing, including professional-quality drawings prepared to USPTO formal standards.
- Initial consultation reviewing design eligibility
- Complete design patent application preparation
- Professional drawings to USPTO formal standards
- USPTO electronic filing and submission
- Filing receipt and official application number
- Guidance through the examination process
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file both a design and utility patent on the same product?
Yes, and it's often the right strategy. The design patent protects how it looks; the utility patent protects how it works. Together they create overlapping protection that's harder to design around.
How long does design patent protection last?
15 years from the date of issuance, with no maintenance fees required during that period.
Do I need formal drawings?
Yes. Design patents are largely defined by their drawings, so they must meet USPTO formal standards: black ink, specific line weights, appropriate views, and proper use of broken lines for unclaimed elements.
Can I file a design patent internationally?
Yes. The Hague System allows a single international design application that designates multiple countries. We can discuss whether international design protection fits your strategy.